Former trainer Ben Davison, who has guided both Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury at different points in their careers, says that Joshua is making a sensible choice by scheduling a preparatory fight before his much‑anticipated clash with Fury. The British heavyweight is slated to step back into the ring on July 25 in Riyadh, where he will face Kristian Prenga, a bout that serves as a tune‑up ahead of the eventual showdown with Fury later in the year. There have been concerns among pundits that adding a warm‑up fight could create an extra hurdle for Joshua, potentially exposing him to injury or fatigue before the all‑British mega‑event. However, Davison argues that the decision is prudent, especially given the lingering effects of the car crash that Joshua was involved in last year.
"Everyone knows about the accident and the crash; naturally, he would have emerged with some injuries," the trainer explained to Sky Sports. "You have to make sure his body is healthy and ready before stepping into a fight of that magnitude, which makes perfect sense. Tyson, too, had a tune‑up fight before his own big matchup." Davison also highlighted Joshua's habit of keeping any physical setbacks private.
"He’s always been like that," the trainer said. "There have been moments in his career—both in victories and defeats—where he dealt with issues behind the scenes and never spoke about them publicly." This discreet approach, according to Davison, is a trait worth respecting.
"He just takes it on the chin, works through it in silence, and that’s something to admire as well." The discussion of scheduling also touched on the broader boxing calendar for 2026, with fans eager to know when the sport’s marquee events will occur. While Davison didn’t venture a prediction about who will emerge victorious when Joshua finally meets Fury, he did emphasize that at their elite level, both athletes possess the capability to win. "When you get to a certain level, both men are capable of winning the fight.
It really comes down to how they approach the contest, and I can’t say exactly how each will do it," he remarked. Despite being rivals in the ring, Davison noted a number of similarities between the two heavyweights. "At heart they’re both genuinely good guys," he said, adding that their approaches to the spectacle of boxing differ markedly. "The way they’ve handled the showmanship side of the sport is the complete opposite, yet both have revolutionized boxing, particularly in the United Kingdom.
They’ve truly changed the game, and that says a lot about their impact." The trainer also addressed the mental and emotional pressures that come with being at the pinnacle of the sport. "The demands they face, the pressures, the expectations—those take a toll," Davison observed. "Most people can’t even comprehend the level of pressure they’re under. There’s high expectation, a massive fan base, and a lot of people relying on them.
It’s incredibly tough, and we can only commend what they’ve both accomplished in the sport." Davison expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to work with both champions, describing himself as "extremely lucky and blessed" to have been part of their journeys. He emphasized that while the two fighters share a common dedication to excellence, their methods of handling the limelight and the weight of public scrutiny diverge. "They both have to navigate the pressures in different ways, and that’s where the contrast lies," he explained.
In summary, Davison’s perspective underscores the strategic value of a warm‑up fight for Joshua. By taking a measured step back into the ring against Prenga, Joshua can assess his physical condition, fine‑tune his tactics, and enter the eventual battle with Fury on a solid foundation. The former trainer’s insider view also sheds light on the broader dynamics at play within heavyweight boxing, highlighting the personal resilience, professionalism, and adaptability required to thrive at the sport’s highest echelons. As the calendar progresses, fans can look forward to a potentially historic encounter between two of the UK’s most prominent heavyweight icons, each bringing a unique blend of skill, showmanship, and determination to the ring.